‘Fundamental change’ needed at Queen’s Park

“The only way we’re going to achieve that fundamental change is if there’s a new team in power and we think that Ontarians will come to that determination eventually,” Leone told the Times. “There was nothing in the throne speech that talked about a public sector wage freeze that would rein in government spending. We believe that certainly with respect to labour relations it seems our government is willing to pander to the unions.”

In what sounded like more of a plea to avoid an election, the throne speech, drafted by the Liberal minority government under new premier Kathleen Wynne and delivered by Lt.-Gov. David Onley, reiterated the phrase “new government” numerous times and called upon political parties and members of the legislature “across the aisles” to “come together” and “join together”.

“We are not starting over, but we are dedicated anew,” it said.

“There is common ground that transcends partisan politics, and it is found in the desire to make Ontario’s economy stronger.”

The government says it will reduce debt and eliminate the deficit by 2017-18 by restraining program spending and implementing more recommendations included in the Drummond report.

“But it will also support the exploration of new economic terrain.”

The speech talked about the need to upgrade transportation infrastructure, including rural roads and bridges, suburban transit and a solution to the gridlock that threatens to cripple Toronto and Hamilton.

“Addressing them will require co-operation from all orders of government, and so your government will engage in conversation with its municipal and community partners,” it said.

“If we continue to argue about the tools this investment will require then we are deaf to the symphony of progress that echoes around us.”

The government promised to address youth unemployment and provide better home care, as well as implement recommendations of the Auto Insurance Anti-Fraud Task Force.

The New Democratic Party has presented programs it wants to see implemented in the upcoming budget to address such issues, including a proposal to reduce auto insurance rates by 15 per cent.

NDP leader Andrea Horwath said the government’s throne speech was vague and lacked details or concrete plans. While Horwath will support it as a matter of confidence, she wants to see “real results” in the upcoming budget.

The Tories say they won’t even support the throne speech. Leone said the government still plans to move forward with programs that cost hundreds of millions of dollars Ontarian can’t afford, such as a 30 per cent tuition grant program that favours certain students, and full-day, everyday kindergarten that he says needs to be reviewed and modified.

“NDP and Liberal coalitions have never worked and are typically known for raising taxes and spending at a time when we need to be doing the opposite,” Leone said. “But if the NDP wants to prop up scandal plagued government, it’s a bet they are entitled to make.”

On Wednesday, Leone presented a motion that was supported by the NDP and passed by the House, calling for all documents on the cancellation of the Oakville and Mississauga gas plants to be released. The matter will now be sent to the Standing Committee on Justice for further inquiry.

Leone claims that evidence has uncovered a staffer at the ministry of energy who instructed that certain documents be withheld. He contends the Liberals, under former premier Dalton McGuinty, shut down the legislature four months ago in an effort to avoid accountability and stop the investigation into the politically motivated decisions to cancel two gas plants that cost Ontarians to the tune of $1 billion.

The Liberals say that the decision only cost Ontarians $230 million.

“We can’t ignore that there was a cover-up here, that I as a member of the legislature was prevented from obtaining documents that we had requested from the government,” Leone said. “There is long-term implications for holding future governments accountable and transparent for their actions.”

Contrary to policies of the past, the “new government” opined in its throne speech that “local populations” should have a say into whether a gas plant, casino, wind farm or quarry is established in their hometown.

“Because our economy can benefit from these things, but only if we have willing hosts.”

However, Leone said the throne speech failed to address many other issues, including the need to get extra-curricular activities back up and running in public schools. He noted that his party would include extra-curricular activities as part of a teacher’s workday so students can’t be used as pawns or bargaining chips.

In the throne speech, the “new government” said it will “show its respect for teachers, support staff, principals and school boards” and stressed the value of working together to teach young people “teamwork” and “believe in themselves”.